Lab results

Would the reason for a drop that fast be bleeding somewhere? Or simply the effect of needing iron supplementation post WLS? Thanks.

That fast - if it is real iron loss - most likely due to bleeding. Any type - including menstruation.

I no longer menstruate and my iron drops faster than it should. I may have some small internal bleeder - that most likely is close to impossible to diagnose. So every once in awhile - I get iron infusion, and get weekly B12 shots.

Thank you. I'm learning so much here. You=very schmart.

I go for my 9 month blood work tomorrow with doctor appointment Tuesday after Labor Day.

Somwhow I even managed to lose weight on holiday in London. Still feel a bit tired out.

Exactly what Grim said, with the caveat that your ferritin started at a pretty elevated range ... so it did actually need to come down somewhat. That's not uncommon in obesity -- and the current level -- 182 -- is actually on the high side... but the issue is that it dropped so much in such a short period of time. That's the concern.

However, am I to understand that you had surgery, are still menstruating and have NOT BEEN supplementing iron at all since your doctor advised you were high? If all those things are so, then I would feel comfortable beginning normal iron supplementation and re-testing in 30 to 60 days to see if you are still dropping. I don't know if I would super supplement with a ferritin at 182 just yet -- not without a hematologist monitoring me. Too high isn't good either.

Completely agree about the B12. Like the others, I like to keep mine over 1200 -- to 1500. I consider my levels low at about 800.

The only other thing that stands out to me is your PTH level -- it's on the high side -- and that can often mean that your body is leeching calcium from your bones. Do you have a baseline DXA scan? Point that out to Grim -- he knows more about that than I do.

I've never had a dexa scan so I will talk to my centre about that - I will also ask my family doctor and if necessary will pay to get one done. Up here, doctors can order bone density scans - I'm not sure if that is the same thing or not.

I only started using the iron patches about a month ago. Prior to that I wasn't supplementing my iron. I've been using the patches for calcium as well but also started those about a month ago. Prior to that I was taking pills but I wasn't doing well with taking them, and thought I'd be fine because the multivitamin patch has calcium. Then I got worried, so I added the iron and the calcium patches.

Thanks for your time!

Yes, a DEXA is a simple bone density scan. A quick xray of three spots; wrist, spine, and leg. It's recommended every 2 years for us, as it can show osteoporosis or osteopenia. Getting one early is important, so you can compare later scans to it.

Did you notice her PTH level? Would you watch that?

I would, Even though it's "in range," it's at the very top. I'd would worry, but I'd sure do something about it.

Grim got here before I could answer.

BTW, kudos to you for really taking charge and advocating for your own health. It's lovely to see in such a relative newbie.